Apparatus for processing cured tires

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for processing tires, in particular for discovering anomalies therein comprising means for chucking, inflating, and rotating a tire thereon about a vertical axis, means for operating on the tire chucked by moving a load roll to apply a radial load to the tire. The roll is mounted on a deflectable yoke secured on a carriage movable to and away from the tire. Means supporting the tire first prelocates and centers the tire, then moves the tire into coaxial registry with the chucking means.

United States Patent Braden et a1.

[15] 3,656,343 [4 1 Apr. 18, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING CUREDTIRES [72] Inventors: William D. Braden, Stow; Richard P.

Marshall, Tallmadge; Richard J. Greenhorn, Stow; Arnold S. Buser, Akron,all of Ohio [73] Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company,

Akron, Ohio [22] Filed: Feb. 2, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 7,489 [52] U.S. Cl..73/146, 198/19 [51] Int. Cl. ..G0lm 17/02 [58] Field oiSearch..73/l46,483; 198/19 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,500,681 3/1970 Shively ..73/146 2,898,764 8/1959 Kinseyetal. ..73/483Primary Examiner-Donald O. Woodiei Attorney-F. W. Brunner and Robert S.Washburn [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for processing tires, in particular fordiscovering anomalies therein comprising means for chucking, inflating,and rotating a tire thereon about a vertical axis, means for operatingon the tire chucked by moving a load roll to apply a radial load to thetire. The roll is mounted on a deflectable yoke secured on a carriagemovable to and away from the tire. Means supporting the tire firstprelocates and centers the tire, then moves the tire into coaxialregistry with the chucking means.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED R 18 I932 SHEET 1 0F 8 INVENTORS.

BRADEN,

LLIAM D. RICHARD F! MARSHALL, B RICHARD J. GRKEENHORN 8| ARNOLD S. BUSERl3. 5'. WMMM AGENT PATENTEDAPR 18 m2 SHEET 2 [IF 8 INVENTORS. WILLIAM B.BRADEN MR ..LO H HN SEW T RES r r- ARU G MGBW R OD S RR MMOQ N l l R RRAPATENTEDAPR 18 I972 SHEET [1F 8 HgMENTbRS. WILLIAM D RICHARD P.

AGENT PATENTEDAPR 18 m2 SHEET 8 0F 8 256 Fl G. 8

-INV'ENTORS.

BRA DEN,

WILLIAM D.

MARSHALL, GREENHORN a RICHARD F. BY RICHARD J.

ARNOLD S. BUSER PATENTEDAPR 18 m2 3, 656, 343 sum 8 [IF 8 FIG. IO

. INVENTORS. WILLIAM B, BRADEN, Y RICHARD R MARSHALL,

RICHARD J. GREENHORN 8 ARNOLD S. BUSER APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING CUREDTIRES This invention relates to the manufacture of pneumatic tires andparticularly to the treatment or processing of tires after such tireshave been cured. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatusfor performing an operation on a cured tire, such as testing the tire todiscover anomalies therein, and including means cooperating to move atire rapidly and accurately into operative position in the apparatus.

Pneumatic tires for automotive and similar use, particularly for highspeed highway use, ideally should be so constructed that the forcesgenerated in the tire and acting between the road surface and thevehicle are perfectly regular and uniform throughout any completerevolution of the tire as it rolls on a smooth, straight, level roadsurface. Inevitably, during the manufacture of pneumatic tires, somedeviations or variations from the ideal occur. Within limits establishedby practical experience, some deviations can be tolerated, but as thedemands for increased speed, reduced vibration and noise, improvedvehicle stability and handling, and like requirements in tireperformance have increased, the permissible range of or tolerance foraccumulated deviations in the finished tire from the ideal has becomeincreasingly narrow. Tire uniformity, or relative freedom fromdeviations from the ideal, are known to relate particularly tovariations found to exist in the forces exerted radially of and by thetire between the vehicle and the road surface, as well as in the forcesexerted by the tire laterally, transversely to the plane of tirerotation. These and other deviations from the ideal are referred to inthe present specification as anomalies.

Considerations of economy dictate that tires be moved in and betweenmanufacturing operations, by mechanical means insofar as possible. Whiletires can be conveyed in generally any orientation of the tire, themovement of tires in horizontal orientation, with their normal axes ofrotation being at least generally vertical, has been found convenientand is commonly preferred. It is also desirable that individualoperations performed on tires require a minimum amount of human effortand attention.

It is a principal object of the present invention, therefore, to providean apparatus for performing an operation on a tire and particularly anapparatus for discovering anomalies in tires automatically and in rapidsequence.

A further object of the invention is to provide for automaticallyloading a plurality of cured tires sequentially into operative relationwith apparatus for performing an operation upon each successive tire.

Another object of the invention is to provide for moving a succession oftires individually into cooperative association with a tire processingdevice or apparatus while the tires are oriented horizontally, withoutrequiring rotation of the tire about any axis other than its own axis ofrotation as in normal use.

A further object of the invention is to provide for locating a tire at apredetermined distance from the position in the apparatus in which thetire will be processed while an immediately preceding tire is locatedfor processing in the apparatus, so that by mechanically controlledmovement of the tire, the same can be chucked with enhanced accuracy oflocation and orientation.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of apparatusadapted to discover anomalies in tires in which tires are automaticallysuccessively conveyed into cooperative position to be processed in theapparatus and in which tires may vary in outside diameter, width, andother dimensions excepting only bead diameter from tire to tire in asequence.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide forprepositioning a tire a predetermined distance away from the position inwhich the tire is to be mounted for processing in the apparatus and thenadvancing the tire through the said predetermined distance to locate thetire accurately in register with the means mounting the tire forprocessing.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide apparatus in which aroll or other operating device is brought rapidly into a first conditionof engagement with an inflated tire mounted to be operated on in theapparatus and in which the roll or other device is then advanced lessrapidly to a second condition of engagement with the tire.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are achieved, accordingto the invention, by apparatus comprising means for chucking a tire forrotation about a first axis coincident with its own axis of rotation innormal use, it being generally preferred that the chucking axis bevertically oriented, means for operating on said tire mounted formovement toward and away from said first: axis, and means for supportinga tire for movement along a path intercepting said first axis, includingmeans for positioning the tire at a predetermined fixed location spacedalong the path from said first axis, and means for moving the supportingmeans intennittently a distance sufficient only to move said tire fromsaid predetermined location into coaxial registry with the first saidaxis.

The following description of a particular embodiment of the invention isby way of illustration and without intention to limit thereto theprinciples and features of the invention as may be employed invariations or modifications of the embodiment described herein withreference to the annexed drawings, except as set forth in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of apparatus embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, oriented as shown bythe lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation oriented as indicated by the section line3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in transverse vertical section oriented as indicated bythe section line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical cross-section, enlarged, oriented asindicated by the section line 5--5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view in elevation oriented as indicated by the section line6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial view of the rear elevation of the apparatus of FIG.1 oriented as indicated by the line 7-7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a partial view in elevation oriented as indicated by thesection line 88 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of the apparatus as seen in FIG. 2,enlarged, and showing dead weight calibrating means;

FIG. 10 is a view in sectional elevation taken along the section line10-10 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 11 is a partial elevation view of the apparatus taken as shown bythe line 11-11 in FIG. 9.

Referring now to' the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2; theillustrative embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus 20 fordiscovering, measuring, and locating anomalies in the tire T and inparticular variations in the radial force and in the lateral forcegenerated by the tire as the tire is rotated in rolling contact with theload roll 22.

In the apparatus 20, means for chucking the tire T for rota tion about afirst axis 24, coincident with the tire axis of rotation of normal use,is provided by an upper chucking spindle assembly 30 which includes thespindle housing 32 fixed rigidly on the front wall 34 of the frame 36,and a lower chucking ram assembly 40 comprising the crosshead 42 rigidlysecured to the elevating ram 44 which is slidable vertically in the ramguide housing 46 coaxially of, toward and away from, the spindleassembly 30. The housing 46 is fixed rigidly to the lower front wall 47of the frame 36.

Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4; the assembly 30 includes a hollowspindle 50 mounted coaxially of the axis 24 by suitable radial bearings51 and thrust bearings 5.2 secured in the axial bore 53 of the housing32 for rotation about the axis 24 free of significant axial movement. Aspindle plate 55 formed integrally on the spindle 50 has a downwardlyfacing plane annular surface 54 exactly perpendicular to the axis 24 andan outer cylindrical surface 57 of precisely predetermined diameterconcentric with the axis 24. The assembly 40 includes a ram plate 60having an upwardly facing plane annular surface 62 exactly perpendicularto the axis 24 and an outer cylindrical surface 64 of preciselypredetermined diameter equal to the diameter of the surface 55. Theplate 60 is mounted for rotation coaxially about the axis 24 by a pairof suitable radial bearings 66 secured coaxially on the end 67 of theram 44 extending upwardly of the crosshead 42 between the bearing unit68 and the retainer 69.

The upper chucking flange ring 70 is provided with a counterbore 71 thewall 72 of which is snugly fitted to the cylindrical surface 57 and thefloor 73 of which is snugly fitted to the annular surface 56 to locatethe circumferential seat 75 and the flange 76 for true coaxial rotationwith respect to the axis 24. The lower chucking flange ring 80 isidentical in all significant respects and is fitted in like manner ontothe ram plate 60 so that the seat 85 and flange 86 of the ring 80 andthe seat 75 and flange 76 of the ring 75, respectively, cooperate toengage and locate respective bead portions of the tire in a mannersimilar to the engagement thereof with the wheel center or rim on whichthe tire is to be mounted for service. Thus the upper or spindleassembly and the associated flange ring are positively located andimmovable axially so as to maintain exact alignment of the radial planeof symmetry of the tire with respect to the line of action of the loadroll. Differences in the width between beads of successive tires mountedfor processing are accommodated without significant effect upon theaxial location of the radial plane of symmetry of the tire, and theflange rings 70 and 80 can be interchanged to accommodate differing beaddiameters.

Each flange ring 70,80 is also provided with a pilot cone 90 for guidingthe wheel center engaging surface of the tire, commonly referred to asthe head or beads, into suitable registry with the respective seats75,85. Each flange ring 70,80 is removably affixed to the respectiveplate 55,60 by a plurality of capscrews represented by the capscrew 91,and is adapted to receive tires having a common bead diametral size.

A pilot member 92 of a suitable hard bronze having coaxial cylindricalinner 93 and outer 94 walls is rigidly secured coaxially on the spindleplate 55. The wall 93 is telescopically en gageable in concentricguiding relation with the outer cylindrical wall 96 of a lower pilotmember 95 of suitably hardened steel which is secured rigidly andcoaxially on the ram plate 60. A radially inward latch abutment flange98 projects from the inner cylindrical wall 99 of the member 95.

Means for effecting relative axial movement between the flange rings70,80 is provided by a pair of air cylinders or the like 100 secured tothe frame 36 and having their respective piston rods 102 connected tothe crosshead 42 so that outward movement of the rods from theirrespective cylinders elevates the ram 44 to move the flange ring 80coaxially toward the ring 70 and to telescopically engage the upper andlower pilot members 92 and 95, thereby locating the lower plate 60 inprecise concentricity with the upper plate 55. To insure smoothlycontrolled movement of the ram 44, a conventional speed control oilcylinder 104 is secured to the ram guide housing 46 and frame 36. Thepiston rod extension 106 connects the crosshead 42 with a piston withinthe cylinder 104 and is extended slidably through a guide bracket 108for movement parallel to the axis 24, and prevents rotation of the ram44 relative to the axis 24.

In order to latch the flange rings 70 and 80 in predetermined axiallyspaced relation relative to each other, and to release them whenappropriate, a plurality of latch dogs 110, spaced arcuately about theaxis 24, are mounted pivotally on pins 112 secured in a latch mountingspider 114 which in turn is coaxially secured rigidly to the surface 115of the spindle plate 55. Each dog 110 is provided with an integrallatching tooth 120 extending radially outwardly with respect to the axis24 and engageable with the radially extending annular face 122 of theabutment flange 98. The individual latching dogs 110 are biased to swingout of engagement with the abutment flange 98 by the springs 124 actingbetween the spindle plate 55 and the bottoms of the respectivecounterbores 126 located in radially outward extensions 128 of each dog110. A chuck latching rod 130, which is supported corotatably with thespindle 50 and for movement longitudinally of itself in a pair of linearantifriction slides 132 fixed in the bore 134 of the spindle 50, has acam disc 135 rigidly fixed to its lower end 136. At its upper end, therod 130 is connected to be rotatable relative to and moxed axially by afitting 139 attached to the piston rod 140 of a chuck latch operatingcylinder 142 which is mounted on the guide bracket 144 aflixed to theframe 36. The fitting 139 is keyed to slide without rotation in thebracket 144. In the position of the disc 135 and the latching dogsillustrated in FIG. 4, the peripheral surface 180 of the disc engagesthe cam rest 152 of each of the dogs 110 to maintain the engagement ofthe latching teeth with the abutment flange 98. As the latch rod iswithdrawn upwardly by action of the latch cylinder 142, the peripheralsurface 150 of the disc moves axially out of engagement with the camrests 152, permitting the springs 124 to urge the dogs 110 pivotally toengage the cam ramp 154 of each dog with the disc and to pivot the dogs110 out of engagement with the abutment flange 98, unlatching theassembly 40 and flange ring 80 for movement away from the upper assembly30. When the ram assembly 40 is raised to move the flange ring 80 towardthe flange ring 70 to a spacing therebetween equal to or less than thepredetermined spacing required for the tire to be tested, the latch rod130 is moved downwardly so that the peripheral surface of the disc 135,by movement relative to the ramps 154, urges each of the dogs 110 toswing radially outwardly to locate the teeth 120 in abutting or latchingrelation with the flange face 122. To achieve-precision in the alignmentof the rings 70 and 80, and the seats thereon engaging a tire, thesurfaces 122 are precisely finished to be square and concentric with theaxis 24 after the spindle assembly 30 is put together.

The upper or spindle assembly 30 and lower or ram assembly 40 areprovided with suitable fluid pressure seals and cooperate with the tirebeing operated on to provide a chamber for the retention of inflationair admitted thereinto through the passage 162 in the ram 44 from asuitable source (not shown) of air under pressure.

Making reference particularly to FIGS. 1 and 4; in order to rotate thechucking means at a particular preselected angular speed, the apparatus20 includes drive means comprising a synchronous motor having a brake172, a gear reducer 174 driven by the motor 170 and having a tootheddriving pulley 176 corotatably mounted on its output shaft. A tootheddriven pulley 178 is corotatably secured to the spindle 50 and aninternally toothed flexible drive belt 180 of the type commonly referredto as a timing belt drivingly connects the pulleys 176,178. The beltdrive described provides for relatively shockless starting and stoppingof the rotation of a tire. The brake 172 provides for stopping thespindle, and a tire being rotated thereby, at a predetermined angularposition.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3; the previously referred to means foroperating on a tire is, in the apparatus 20, means for discoveringanomalies in the tire, provided by a force measur ing assembly 200including a substantially rigid carriage 202 mounted in the frame 36 formovement along a direction line 204 of action, perpendicularlyintersecting the axis 24, which preferably lies in themid-circumferential plane of tires operated upon. Affixed to thecarriage 202 is a yoke 205 comprising a matched pair of flex bars207,208 of rectangular cross-section, each of which is rigidly securedto the carriage 202 as a cantilever beam extending generallyperpendicular to a plane defined by the axis 24 and the line of action204, and respectively at equal distances above and below the line 204.The free ends 210,211 of the flex bars 207 ,208 are connected by a strut215 (best seen in FIG. 8) to the longitudinal center of which isconnected the conventional strain gauge load cell 220, which is securedto a main cross member 222 of the carrrage.

Alternatively, for the added purpose of discovering such anomalies asdiffering radial forces generated by portions of a tire on oppositesides of its mid-circumferential plane or radial plane of symmetry,which differing forces can give rise to instabilities in performance,sometimes referred to as conicity replaced by a pair of equal load cellsconnected between the strut 215 and the cross member 222 at spacedlocations equidistant, respectively, above and below themid-circumferential or equatorial plane of the tire and orientedparallel to the line 204.

and a parallel pair of side members 300,301 extending rearwardlyperpendicularly from the plate 270, and placed laterally of the window292. The side members are widened to form triangular gussets 303 bracingthe plate 270 and are In either case, using the load cell 220 shown, orthe pair of tions of the flex bars 207,208 so that the rotation axis 235of the load roll 22 is parallel to the chucking axis 24 and lies in theplane defined by the axis 24 and the line 204 of action of the carriage202. The axial length of the roll 22 is bisected by the line of action204. The cross-sections of the flex bars 207,208 are selected andoriented so that variations in the forces exerted radially of andbetween a tire T and the load roll 22 result in small but measurableelastic deflections of the yoke 205 in directions respectively paralleland perpendicular to the line 204, and orthogonally with respect to theaxis 24, without significant movement or deflection of the carriage 202or of the frame 36 and so that the lateral force variations which tendto move the load roll 22 in directions parallel to its own axis 235likewise produce small but measurable elastic deflections of the yoke205 without significant effect on the carriage 202 or the frame 36. Inthe apparatus 20, the flex bars 207,208 have cross-sectional dimensionsof 2.0 in. parallel to the line 204 of action and of 0.4 in. parallel tothe axis 235 of the load roll. With a load roll of 33 inches, therespective dimensions are 4.0 in. and 1.0 in. of the bars. To detect thedeflections of the yoke 205 axially of the load roll 22, a second loadcell 240 is connected between bracket 241 mountedon carriage 202 andcenter shaft 232 in alignment with the axis 235 of the load roll 22.

In order to maintain the generally horizontal orientations of the flexbars 207,208, a slender rod 250 (FIG. 8) may be placed parallel to theaxis 235 with its lower end received freely in a socket 252 fixed in thecarriage 202, and its upper end in a socket formed axially in the end ofthe screw 256, which is adjustably fixed in an extension 258 of theupper flex bar 207. Forces exerted between the load roll 22 and a tirerolling thereagainst tend to deflect the bars 207,208 in directionsparallel to and perpendicular to the line 204. The respective load cells220 and 240tend to resist such deflections and are thereby themselvesdeflected by amounts proportional to the respective deflecting forces.However, the flex bars 207,208 also, by their stiffness, resist theforces applied, making possible the use of relatively inexpensivecommercial load cells within their preferred deflection range.

A particular advantage of the invention results from the use of the flexbars and the elimination of slidingfriction in the force measurementsystem. Neither sliding carriages nor pivoted levers are free fromfrictional effects tending to result in erratic measurements in a forcemeasuring system, while the completely elastic deflection of the yoke205 provides both accuracy and sensitivity. I

To ensure the transmission of any lateral forces generated by the tire Tto the load roll 22 while the same are in rolling engagement, thesurface of the roll 22 is preferably provided with a non-skid surface. Avery satisfactory non-skid surface is a tungsten carbide surface applieduniformly by a spray coating commercially available from FunctionalProducts, Inc., of Geneva, lllinois.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9; the carriage 202 comprises the frontplate 270 having an opening or window 292, accommodating an arcuateportion 294 of the load roll 22,

rigidly secured to the plate by welding. The main cross member 222extends parallel to the plate 270 and between the side members 300,301to which it is joined, by welding, rearwardly of the roll 22. A yokemounting block 305, having slots 307, in the upper and lower ends inwhich the flex bars 207,208 are anchored, is affixed by welding to theplate 270 and to the side member 300. The carriage 202 is supported by apair of parallel guide shafts 310, the forward ends 312 of which areclamped in pedestals 314 welded on and extending laterally outwardlyfrom the forward ends of the respective side members 300,301 and therearward ends 316 of which are clamped in pedestals 318 welded on andextending laterally outwardly from the rearward ends of the respectiveside members 300,301.

To constrain the carriage 202 to movement along the line 204 of actionwithout significant deviation therefrom, a pair of guide members 320each equipped with. suitable linear slide bearings 322 respectivelyreceive the shafts 310 for sliding movement therethrough. The members320 are rigidly attached to the frame 36 in appropriate alignmentparallel with the line 204 of action. A cantilever support 324 isrigidly secured to each of the members 320 to support the front end ofthe carriage 202 by cooperation with the cam rollers 326 rotatablymounted on the pedestals 314. Inasmuch as the larger load roll, of 33%inch diameter, referred to above, requires less forward or outwardmovement of its carriage than is required by the carriage 202 and the10-inch roll 22 shown, the supports 324 and rollers 326 can be omittedin apparatus using the larger roll. I

Movement of the carriage 202 toward and away from the tire and the firstor chucking axis 24 is provided by means of a screw jack 330, the screw332 of which is secured to the cross member 222. The base 334 of thejack housing 336 is secured to a plate 338 extending between thebuttresses 340 forming a part of the frame 36. The operating shaft 342of the screw jack 330 is connected by a suitable flexible coupling 344to the output shaft of a two-speed electric motor 346, the high speedwindings of which are energized to drive the screw jack 330 to advancethe carriage 202 rapidly to engage the load roll 22 with the tire T andapply thereto a predetermined initial load. The load applied causes adeflection ofthe yoke 205 detected by the load cell 220 whereupon thehigh speed windings are deenergized and the low speed windings energizedto continue the advance of the carriage 202 at a lesser rate to attain apredetermined radial force on the tire T also detected by the load cell,whereupon the two-speed motor 346 is deenergized and the carriage 202maintained at the position effecting the testing load on the tire by thescrew jack 332. The motor 346 is preferably provided with conventionalbrake means (not shown) to minimize over-travel of the carriage as themotor is deenergized.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 5 and 7; in order to provide an analogof the position of the earriage 202 relative to the axis 24,transmission means including a pulley 352 corotatably mounted on theoperating shaft 342 of the screw jack 330, and

a pulley 354 corotatably mounted on the input shaft 356 of a right anglegear unit 358, are drivingly connected by a timing belt 360. The outputshaft 362 of the gear unit 358 is connected coaxially with a screw 364supported at its distal end by a pillow block 366 mounted on a plate 368affixed to the frame 36, An indicator nut 370 threadedly engaged withthe screw 364 for longitudinal movement therealong has a wing and slot372 engaged slidingly with a slide 374 affixed on the plate 368. Othertransmission means can be employed, for example, the shaft 356 can bedirectly or coaxially connected with the shaft 342. Limit setting meansin the form of a scale 376 having an adjustment slot 377 is adjustablyaffixed to the nut 370 for movement therewith by a thumbscrew 371. Theend surfaces 378,379 respectively of the scale 376 engage limit switches381,382 which are operative to limit the movement of the carriage 202 toa predetermined range.

In the interest of reducing the non-productive portion of the cycle inthe apparatus, the load roll surface 294 is preferably located, at rest,only a very small distance from the peripheral surface of the tire to bemeasured. The scale 376 is positioned to halt the inward, away from thetire, movement of the roll 22 so as to locate the surface 294 no morethan about one-eighth inch from the tire.

The apparatus 20 is particularly adapted to apply a predetermined testload radially of the tire as has been described above. It iscontemplated, moreover, within the scope of the invention that a tirecan be tested for the presence of anomalies at a predetermined amount ofradial deflection. This can be achieved in the apparatus 20 by the useof a suitable scale 376 having its end surface 378 located to cooperatewith the limit switch 381 so as to position the load roll 22 at apredetermined radial distance from the axis 24 corresponding to thedesired deflection of a tire to be tested. Furthermore, the position ofthe scale 376 while the roll 22 is in engagement with the tire beingtested indicates the actual loaded radius of the tire, and can becalibrated for direct reading of such radial dimension and/or connectedby known means to indicate or record such dimension.

Turning again to FIGS. 1 and 2; the apparatus 20 includes, in accordancewith the invention, means for supporting a tire for movement along apath including means for positioning the tire at a predeterminedlocation spaced along the path from the axis 24, and means for movingthe support means and a tire thereon between the predetermined locationand a position wherein the tire is concentric with the axis 24. In theapparatus 20, in order to receive a succession of tires from a supplythereof, a first conveyor 400, the slope of which is adjustable toaccommodate the elevation of supply means (not shown) from which tiresare received by the apparatus 20, includes drive means comprising thehead shaft 402 connected to a gear motor 404. A set of conveyor beltpulleys 406 are mounted in suitably axially spaced relation corotatablyon the shaft 402 to drive the conveyor belts 408 intermittently to movetires one at a time to the apparatus 20.

The supporting means in the present apparatus 20 comprises a conveyor410 having a pair of conveyor belts 412 extending parallel with andspaced equilaterally of the centerline of the path travelled by thetires and designated by the arrows 415. Each belt 412 is looped aboutthe head pulleys 417 corotatably affixed in suitably spaced relationupon the head shaft 420 and about a spaced pair of belt pulleys 422mounted for rotation on and relative to the shaft 402. The upper reach424 or supporting surface of each belt is carried by a plurality ofidler pulleys mounted rotatably on the side members 428 which aresecured to the cross members 430 of the conveyor frame 432 which isfixed relative to, and may be a part of, the frame 36. The conveyor 410supports a tire horizontally with its axis of rotation vertically, formovement along the path 415 in a direction generally perpendicular tothe plane defined by the axis 24 and the line 204 so that the centerline415 intersects the axis 24.

Turning also to FIGS. 2, 6, and in order to center a tire at a positionspaced from the axis 24 along the path 415, the apparatus 20 includescentering means in the form of a centering device 450 comprising anelevator plate 452 which is movable in a direction perpendicularly ofitself along a vertical axis 455 at the centering location. A pluralityof fingers 457 are mounted swingably on the plate 452 to swing in planesradial to the axis 455 and spaced angularly thereabout. A pair of guideplungers 460 are secured perpendicularly to the lower surface 461 of theplate 452, and are slidable respectively in a pair of sleeves 463rigidly attached to a cross member 465 of the conveyor frame 432. Ahelically coiled compression spring 467 surrounding each plunger 460 andacting between the plate 452 and the respective sleeve 463 urges theplate 452 upwardly toward its upward position in lifting engagement witha tire sidewall. The plate 452 is moved downwardly to its lower positionbelow the reach 424 by the action of an air cylinder 470, fixed to thecross member 465 between the sleeves 463. The rod 472 of the cylinder470 has an end fitting 474 moved along the axis 455 by the cylinder 470.The actuating links 480 are each connected-at one end by a pivot pin 481to the fitting 474 and at the other end by a pin 482 to a respective oneof the centering fingers 457 at a location spaced therealong from itspivot mounting 485. Movement of the fitting 474 outwardly of thecylinder 470 cooperates with the springs 467 acting both to swing thefingers 457 radially outwardly of the axis 455 and into engagement witha wheel center engaging surface or bead portion of a tire to be centeredby the device 450 and to elevate the plate 452 into its upper position,lifting the tire thereon out of contact with the conveying belts 412 andinsuring the positive centralizing of the tire axis with the axis 455.The centering plate 452 is provided with a multiplicity of conventionalball rests 487 which protrude slightly above the plate 452 to reduce thefrictional resistance to movement of the tire relative to the plate. Thesprings 467 are sufficiently stiff to ensure that the tire and plate aremoved clear of the belts 412 before the fingers 457 complete their swingmovement against the tire.

The centering device 450 is actuated in response to a signal provided bythe photo-electric cell 490 when the beam from the light source 492 isinterrupted by the movement of a tire along the conveyor 410.

Reverting to FIGS. 1 and 2; in order to move the tire along the path 415from the location determined by the centering device 450, the head shaft420 is coupled to a gear motor 500 having an integral brake and to aconventional three-revolution switch 502 operative to deenergize themotor 500 and actuate its brake in response to a predetermined movementof the belts 412 which movement is preset to correspond to the distancebetween the axis 24 and the axis 455.

In the apparatus 20, the movement of the belts 412 to move the tirebetween the centering device 450 and the axis 24 of the chuckingassemblies 30 and 40 is 36 inches. The threerevolution switch 502 isconnected to the shaft 420 so that the switch 502 rotates about 2 /2revolutions and there effects an electrical contact operative to stopthe movement of the conveyor 410. After the tire is chucked, theconveyor 410 is again moved-to bring a next succeeding tire toward thecentering device 450 during which movement the switch 502 completes itsthird revolution and actuates the clutch-brake device 504 to disconnectthe switch 502 from the head shaft 420 with the switch in its startingor home position ready for the next cycle. As the succeeding tireinterrupts the light beam to the photocell 490, a signal therefromoperates to stop the conveyor 410, to reset the clutch-brake device 504,and to reconnect the switch 502 with the shaft 420 for the next cycle.

It is preferred that the conveyors 400,410 and the centering device 450operate only during portions of the cycle other than actual detecting,measuring, and recording of force variations or other anomalies in aparticular tire. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the mostclosely related arts also that the apparatus 20 is preferably insulatedfrom undue vibration or like disturbance, which could affect theaccuracy or repeatability of measurements made by the apparatus.

The same movement of the conveyor belts 412 which advances a tire fromthe centering device 450 to coaxial registry with the chucking axis 24also moves a completed tire, demounted from the chucking means anddeposited on the conveyor 410, to a take-away conveyor 510 for removalto a subsequent operation or use.

The tire next to be processed, which has been moved into axial registrywith the chucking axis 24, is engaged by the lower flange ring as thesame is elevated by the ram 44 and is then moved upwardly to engage thetire also with the upper flange ring 70. As the flange ring 80 is movedtoward the ring 70, the wheel center engaging portions of the tire arecentered and engaged by the respective pilot cones to create a sealsufficient to retain inflation air in the chamber 160. Continued upwardmovement of the plate 60 moves the pilot members 92 and 95 intotelescopic engagement, moving the abutment flange 98 to permit thelatching dog teeth 120 to engage therewith. The latching rod 130 ismoved downwardly to move the dogs 110 outwardly to engage the flange 98and air is admitted to inflate the tire to a predetermined test pressurewhich pressure, about 30 pounds per square inch in the apparatus 20, forusual passenger car tires, is sufficient to insure that the respectivebead portions of the tire move axially outwardly against the flanges 76and 86 so as to position the tire in true coaxial relation with thechucking axis 24 insofar as possible in the same relation to the flangerings as the tire will have with the wheel center or rims on which itwill be mounted for use.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3; in order to demount the tire from therespective flange rings 70 and 80 upon completion of the operationperformed on the tire, inflation air is discharged from the chamber 160after which the latching dogs 110 are released. The demounting rolls 530are moved upwardly to engage the sidewall portion of the tire outwardlyof and immediately adjacent the perimeter 532 of the lower flange ring80, while the tire continues to rotate, to dislodge the tire from thering.

The demounting rolls 530 are rotatably mounted in fittings 534 carriedon the piston rods of the fluid power cylinders 538 fixed on thecrosshead 42. A suitable lubricant can be projected onto the tire bynozzle means (not shown) mounted adjacent each demounting roll 530.After about one-half revolution of the tire, the upper demounting rolls540 are actuated by their respective cylinders 542, while the tirecontinues to rotate, to dislodge the upper wheel center engaging portionof the tire from the upper flange ring 70. When the tire is sodislodged, the elevator ram 44 descends, carrying the demounted tirefreely thereon, and deposits the tire on the supporting surface 424provided by the conveyor belts, ready for movement by the conveyor 410onto the take-off conveyor 510.

The deflection signals produced by the load cells 220 and 240 inresponse to forces generated by the tire radially between the load roll22 and the axis 24, as well as parallel to the axes 24 and 235 arecommunicated to electronic circuit means well known in the related artsand outside the scope of the present invention. The signals received insuch electronic circuit means are coordinated therein with the preciseangular location of the anomalies producing the respectively measureddeflections by pulse signals generated by a pulse generator 550operative to produce a single pulse at each successive, preselectedincrement of its own rotation and which is mounted on the frame 36 andconnected by a timing belt 552 looped about a driven pulley 554 on thegenerator 550 and a driving pulley 556 corotatable with the chuckingspindle 50.

. Alternatively, the pulse generator 550 may be drivingly connected tothe output shaft of the gear reducer 174.

Electric and pneumatic controls operative to sequence the successivefunctions of the elements of the apparatus 20 described are also wellknown and form no part of the present invention, hence a descriptionthereof is deemed unnecessary.

With reference in particular to FIGS. 9 and 11; in order to provide forperiodic calibration of the load cells 220 and 240, the apparatus 20 isadapted to cooperate with means for ap plying a dead weight load on theroll 22. Calibration of the load cell 240 requires only the applicationdirectly on the roll of one or more individual known weights by whichthe load cell 240 and its associated circuitry can be calibrated.Because of the preferred vertical orientation of the axis 235, thecalibration of loads applied normally to that axis is provided in theapparatus 20 by means comprising an arch bar 570 which is mountedswingably about hinge pins 572 carried in the blocks 574 affixedsecurely on the front plate 270 of the carriage 202. When not in use,the arch bar 570 is held in a rest position parallel to the frontplate270 by a spring latch 576. For use in calibrating the load cell 220, thearch bar is swung about 90 outwardly and downwardly to locate itsmid-arch portion 578 in front of the roll 22, the bar 570 being heldthere by the stops formed on the blocks 574. A block 580 having aknife-edged fulcrum 582 is rigidly secured to the mid-arch portion 578,the knife edge being held at a precisely predetermined elevation abovethe line 204 and perpendicular to the plane of the axis 24 and the line204. A load or calibrating lever 584 has a shorter and vertical leverarm provided by a block 586 rigidly secured to the generally horizontalbody of the lever 584 by the cap screws 588. The block 586 is providednear its upper end with a V-shaped seat 590 of appropriately hardenedmaterial for engagement with the fulcrum 582 and with a stud or pressurepad 592 downwardly exactly from the seat to bear upon the cylindricalperiphery of the roll 22 at the line of action 204, the distance betweenthe seat 590 and the stud 592 defining the shorter arm of the lever 584.At the outward extremity of the lever body, a block 594 attached to thelever body is provided with a V-shaped seat 596 of suitably hardenedmaterial for the reception of a dead weight hanger 598 which has a knifeedge 600 of suitably hardened material which is received in the seat 596and supports a dead weight hanger rod 602 terminating in its lower endin a disc 604 adapted to support one or more of precisely knowncalibrating weights 606 which can be applied in desired combinations inorder to calibrate the 'full range of the deflection to be accommodatedby the load cell 220 and the circuitry associated therewith. Thedistance between the seat 596 and the stud 592 define the longer arm ofthe lever. The leverage ratio of the longer arm to the shorter arm is,in the present apparatus, 10:1. Therefore, dead weights of from 5 to 20pounds provide increments of calibration of 50 to 200 pounds on the loadcell and can readily be applied and removed manually so as to providefor periodic calibration of the apparatus sufficient to secure itsaccuracy and repeatability in use.

It is believed that the operation of the apparatus 20 is fully apparentfrom the foregoing description thereof and that such operation may besummarized as follows:

Tires, which may be assorted in respects other than bead diameter, aremoved one by one successively from a produc tion line conveyor or othersupply onto the conveyor 410. In terruption of the light beam to thephotocell 490 by the movement of a tire into the beam actuates thecentering device 450 to raise the plate 452 and swing the fingers 457 tomove the rotation axis of the tire into concentricity with the locationaxis 455. The tire is then lowered to the conveyor 410 and the conveyoris advanced a distance corresponding to the distance between thelocationaxis 455 and the chucking axis 24. The lower flange ring iselevated, moving the pilot cone into the central opening of andengagement with the lower bead portion of the tire, lifting the tire toengage its upper bead portion with the upper flange ring 70 carried bythe chucking spindle 50. Continuing upward movement of the ram 44 sealsthe tire sufficiently to retain in the chamber an inflating air pressureand permits engagement of the latching dogs 110 with the abutment flange98 whereupon the latch dog cylinder 142 is actuated. inflating air isthen admitted through the passage 162 in the ram 44 to inflate the tireto the predetermined test inflation pressure. The drive motor is thenenergized and the tire rotated at a preferred speed, in the presentapparatus, 24 rpm. The carriage drive motor 346 is energized, in itshigh speed winding, to move the carriage 202 and the load roll 22rapidly toward the tire to apply an initial load, e.g. about 100 poundswhereupon the motor 346 is switched to its low speed, moving the loadroll 22 sufficiently to achieve the predetermined test load, in thepresent apparatus within the range of approximately 750 to 1,500 pounds.When the particular operation on the tire has been completed, in thepresent apparatus, the radial and lateral force variations and theeccentricity have been discovered, measured, and located, the carriage202 and the load roll 22 are rapidly traversed away from the tire andthe tire is demounted or dislodged first from the lower flange ring 80and then from the upper flange ring 70 while the tire continues torotate. Being dislodged from the respective flange rings, the tire isthen lowered by downward movement of the ram 44 to deposit the tireagain on the conveyor 410 for movement out of the apparatus.

It will have become apparent from the foregoing description that theinvention provides significant advantages in the processing of tires.The apparatus enables the processing of tires in continuous successionwithout manual intervention and is particularly adapted to continuousconveyorized operation. In the particular operation of detecting,measuring, and locating anomalies in tires, the apparatus provides aparticular advantage in its freedom from surface-to-surface friction inthe elements comprising the detecting and measuring means so as toobtain accurate and reproducible measurements free from the errorsattributable to surface-to-surface friction behavior.

The technique of prepositioning or prelocating a tire and then movingthe tire from the prepositioning location into registry with thechucking means contribute significantly to the precise location of thetire with respect to its chucking so that the tire can readily beautomatically chucked for true and coaxial rotation about the chuckingaxis. This technique reduces significantly the possibility ofmismounting tires on the chucking means even in the absence of humanattention.

Inasmuch as tires are commonly moved from operation to operation withtheir usual axes of rotation generally vertical, the apparatus providesthe advantage of moving such tires directly into and out of theapparatus without necessity for additional manipulation or reorientationof the tire.

A particular advantage of the present apparatus lies in the fact thatthe load wheel and the carriage move so as to engage the tire with theroll generally in identical manner whatever be the outside diameter orwidth of the tires being operated upon and that no adjustment to themachine is required to accommodate different tires except fordifferences in bead diameter. in the latter event, it is necessary onlyto change the flange rings 70 and 80 to accommodate a difierent beaddiameter. As a result, generally all tires having a bead diameter of sayinches can be operated upon in a continuing series without manualintervention regardless of their other dimensional differences.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown forthe purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for performing an operation on a cured tire comprisingmeans for chucking said tire for rotation about a first axis coincidentwith the tires axis of rotation in normal use, means for operating onsaid tire mounted for movement along a direction line in the radialplane of symmetry or equatorial plane of said tire and perpendicular tosaid axis, means for supporting the tire for movement along a pathintersecting said axis including means for positioning said tire at alocation spaced a predetermined fixed distance along said path from saidfirst axis, means for moving the supporting means to move said tirealong said path between said location and said first axis, and detectingmeans mounted on said apparatus to detect a tire traveling along saidpath, said detecting means being connected to communicate a signal inresponse to movement of a tire into operative relation with said meansfor positioning, said signal being effective to actuate the positioningmeans to position the tire at said location.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said means for supporting atire comprises conveyor means including a plurality of pairs of beltpulleys, a parallel pair of spaced apart belts looped respectively aboutsaid pulleys, said means for moving the supporting means including drivemeans connected to move said belts intermittently a distance sufficientat each movement to move a tire from said predetermined location alongsaid path to coaxial registry with the first said axis.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said means for supporting atire includes a first conveyor having a plurality of endless beltsadapted to receive a succession of tires from a supply thereof, meansfor driving said first conveyor including a first head shaft, aplurality of pulleys eorotatably fixed on said first shaft and indriving engagement with said belts, second conveyor means comprising asecond head shaft, a pair of spaced belt pulleys mounted eorotatablyupon said second head shaft, a pair of pulleys mounted on said firsthead shaft for rotation relative thereto, a parallel pair of spacedapart belts looped about the first and second head shafts andrespectively about said pulleys mounted thereon, drive means ineluding amotor having a brake connected to said second head shaft to drive saidpair of belts a distance sufficient to advance a tire along said pathfrom said location into coaxial registry with the said first axis andthen to stop said pair of belts.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim I, said means for positioning said tireincluding means for centering said tire at the said location to placeits axis of normal rotation into coincidence with a centering axis atleast generally parallel to the first said axis.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for centeringcomprises means for moving said tire out of engagement with thesupporting means and means mounted on the last said means for movingsaid tire radially of its own axis a distance sufficient to bring thetire and the centering axes into substantial coincidence.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, said means for centering a tirecomprising a member movable between a first position for engagement witha sidewall of said tire and a second position spaced away from saidtire, a plurality of fingers mounted swingably on said member to swingequally and outwardly of the centering axis at said location and spacedangularly thereabout, and means operable to swing said fingers and tomove said member between said first and second positions.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said means for chuckingincludes first means mounted for rotation coaxially of the first saidaxis and having means engageable with a wheel center engaging portion ofsaid tire to locate said portion at a predetermined fixed distancerelation with and above said direction line, and second means mountedfor rotation coaxially of the first said axis and having meansengageable with another wheel center engaging portion of said tire andmovable coaxially of the first said axis between a first positionwherein the tire engageable means of said second means is inpredetermined fixed distance relation to and below said direction line adistance substantially equal to the first said relation and above saidmeans for supporting the tire and a second position wherein the tireengaging means of said second means is disposed below said means forsupporting the tire, and means for effecting relative axial movement ofthe tire engageable means of said second means, between the said firstand said second position thereof.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further including means for latchingsaid first and said second means to prevent separating movementtherebetween while the same are in their respective said spaced relationwith respect to said direction line.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a pilot having agenerally cylindrical inner surface coaxial with the first said axis andfixed rigidly eorotatably on said first means, a second pilot having agenerally cylindrical outer surface generally coaxial with the firstsaid axis and fixed rigidly eorotatably to said second means, thesurfaces of the respective pilots being engageable telescopically toeffect a positive coaxial relation between the first and the second saidtire engaging means.

10. An apparatus for performing an operation on a cured in flatable tireincluding means for chucking and inflating said tire for rotation aboutan axis coincident with the rotation axis of the tire in its intendeduse, the improvement comprising means for supporting and conveying saidtire along a path intersecting said axis, said means for chuckingincluding means gagement with the sidewall of said tire and a secondposition spaced away from said tire, a plurality of fingers mountedswingably on said member to swing equally and outwardly of the centeringaxis at said location and spaced angularly thereabout, and meansoperable to swing said fingers and to move said member between saidfirst and said second positions.

1. Apparatus for performing an operation on a cured tire comprisingmeans for chucking said tire for rotation about a first axis coincidentwith the tire''s axis of rotation in normal use, means for operating onsaid tire mounted for movement along a direction line in the radialplane of symmetry or equatorial plane of said tire and perpendicular tosaid axis, means for supporting the tire for movement along a pathintersecting said axis including means for positioning said tire at alocation spaced a predetermined fixed distance along said path from saidfirst axis, means for moving the supporting means to move said tirealong said path between said location and said first axis, and detectingmeans mounted on said apparatus to detect a tire traveling along saidpath, said detecting means being connected to communicate a signal inresponse to movement of a tire into operative relation with said meansfor positioning, said signal being effective to actuate the positioningmeans to position the tire at said location.
 2. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, in which said means for supporting a tire comprises conveyormeans including a plurality of pairs of belt pulleys, a parallel pair ofspaced apart belts looped respectivelY about said pulleys, said meansfor moving the supporting means including drive means connected to movesaid belts intermittently a distance sufficient at each movement to movea tire from said predetermined location along said path to coaxialregistry with the first said axis.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,in which said means for supporting a tire includes a first conveyorhaving a plurality of endless belts adapted to receive a succession oftires from a supply thereof, means for driving said first conveyorincluding a first head shaft, a plurality of pulleys corotatably fixedon said first shaft and in driving engagement with said belts, secondconveyor means comprising a second head shaft, a pair of spaced beltpulleys mounted corotatably upon said second head shaft, a pair ofpulleys mounted on said first head shaft for rotation relative thereto,a parallel pair of spaced apart belts looped about the first and secondhead shafts and respectively about said pulleys mounted thereon, drivemeans including a motor having a brake connected to said second headshaft to drive said pair of belts a distance sufficient to advance atire along said path from said location into coaxial registry with thesaid first axis and then to stop said pair of belts.
 4. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, said means for positioning said tire including meansfor centering said tire at the said location to place its axis of normalrotation into coincidence with a centering axis at least generallyparallel to the first said axis.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4,wherein said means for centering comprises means for moving said tireout of engagement with the supporting means and means mounted on thelast said means for moving said tire radially of its own axis a distancesufficient to bring the tire and the centering axes into substantialcoincidence.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, said means forcentering a tire comprising a member movable between a first positionfor engagement with a sidewall of said tire and a second position spacedaway from said tire, a plurality of fingers mounted swingably on saidmember to swing equally and outwardly of the centering axis at saidlocation and spaced angularly thereabout, and means operable to swingsaid fingers and to move said member between said first and secondpositions.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said means forchucking includes first means mounted for rotation coaxially of thefirst said axis and having means engageable with a wheel center engagingportion of said tire to locate said portion at a predetermined fixeddistance relation with and above said direction line, and second meansmounted for rotation coaxially of the first said axis and having meansengageable with another wheel center engaging portion of said tire andmovable coaxially of the first said axis between a first positionwherein the tire engageable means of said second means is inpredetermined fixed distance relation to and below said direction line adistance substantially equal to the first said relation and above saidmeans for supporting the tire and a second position wherein the tireengaging means of said second means is disposed below said means forsupporting the tire, and means for effecting relative axial movement ofthe tire engageable means of said second means, between the said firstand said second position thereof.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7,further including means for latching said first and said second means toprevent separating movement therebetween while the same are in theirrespective said spaced relation with respect to said direction line. 9.Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a pilot having agenerally cylindrical inner surface coaxial with the first said axis andfixed rigidly corotatably on said first means, a second pilot having agenerally cylindrical outer surface generally coaxial with the firstsaid axis and fixed rigidly corotatably to said second means, thesurfaces of the respEctive pilots being engageable telescopically toeffect a positive coaxial relation between the first and the second saidtire engaging means.
 10. An apparatus for performing an operation on acured inflatable tire including means for chucking and inflating saidtire for rotation about an axis coincident with the rotation axis of thetire in its intended use, the improvement comprising means forsupporting and conveying said tire along a path intersecting said axis,said means for chucking including means engageable with said tire andmovable transversely through said path to engage a tire in said path andmove the tire from the path into chucking relation with said means forchucking, said means for supporting said tire including means forpositioning said tire at a location spaced a predetermined distancealong said path from said axis, and means for moving the supportingmeans to move the tire along said path between said location and saidfirst axis, said means for positioning a tire comprising a membermovable between a first position for engagement with the sidewall ofsaid tire and a second position spaced away from said tire, a pluralityof fingers mounted swingably on said member to swing equally andoutwardly of the centering axis at said location and spaced angularlythereabout, and means operable to swing said fingers and to move saidmember between said first and said second positions.